Modular carrying system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a modular carrying system for transporting loads and which further includes an improved hip belt and other means for carrying loads and protecting the user from injury from ballistic projectiles, stabbing weapons and the like.

The present invention relates to a modular carrying system as set forthin the claims which follows.

The invention also relates to a modular carrying system having a backpart which can be connected to further systems, and to a modularcarrying system having a novel back pad.

The invention also relates to a hip belt for use with a modular carryingsystem, as will be described below, and wherein the hip belt has aconnecting element for transmitting pressure forces as will bedescribed, hereinafter.

A generic modular carrying system is known from DE 10 2009 042 455 A1.The carrying system known from this generic document has a ballisticprotective vest. Such protective vests are commonly used in military andpolice applications in order to protect persons against injury resultingfrom attacks involving stabbing weapons or projectiles.

The protective vest has at least a back part with ballisticcharacteristics and usually also a front part with ballisticcharacteristics. Furthermore, means for fastening to a human torso arealso provided, which means may be shoulder straps and a fastening belt.By means of these, the protective vest can be securely fastened to thetorso of a person. Furthermore, the carrying system known from thegeneric document comprises a hip belt, laterally on which there areprovided two bar-shaped supports. Here, the lateral supports arefastened at one end to the hip belt and at the other end to a carryingdevice. In this arrangement, the carrying device serves for being filledwith loads to be carried. The carrying device may in particular be arucksack. By means of the lateral supports, the weight of the carryingdevice is at least partially introduced into, or transmitted to, the hipbelt. The supports are fastened laterally to the hip belt, in thiscontext the word “laterally” should be understood to mean that thesupports are situated to the left and to the right of the body of aperson when the generic carrying system is worn correctly.

The modular carrying system known from the generic document has not onlythe carrying device but also a housing which is substantially matched,in terms of height and width, to the back part of the ballisticprotective vest. The housing serves to accommodate electronic componentsand/or electronic units, for example a radio unit. The use of anelectronics housing is advantageous in particular when the carryingsystem is used for military purposes.

In relation to known carrying systems such as what are known for examplefrom U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,763, the carrying system known from thisgeneric document has the advantage of a modular construction.Furthermore, in the case of the generic carrying system, it is possiblefor individual components to be quickly discarded in an emergencysituation. In the case of the generic carrying system, it hasfurthermore proven to be advantageous that the ballistic protective vesthas both shoulder straps and also a fastening belt, and that a hip beltis additionally provided which is separate from the protective vest andwhich runs below the fastening belt.

The carrying systems known from the general teachings of the prior art,with the exception of the generic carrying system, have only onefastening belt which is formed as a constituent part of the protectivevest. A hip belt into which weight loads can be introduced directly froma rucksack or the like via lateral supports is not known from the priorart. For example, US published application 2009/0127299 A1 presents acarrying system having shoulder straps and having a fastening belt, andwherein baggage items, and if appropriate multiple baggage items locatedone behind the other in series, can be coupled to the rear side of thecarrying system. An advantageous introduction of weight loads into a hipbelt, such that the shoulders of the wearer are relieved of load, is notknown from said document. A similar concept is also presented in U.S.Pat. No. 5,503,314. Although the fastening belt runs in the region of ahip, the fastening belt, owing to its construction, is not suitable foraccommodating weight loads, for example from a rucksack that isadditionally to be carried, in a configuration in which the mainframework is bypassed.

A further carrying system is known from WO 2007/114702 A1 Here, a mainsupport is provided which can be fastened to a human torso. A back partof the main body can in this case be connected to a separate hip beltvia a connecting element. The connecting element engages, or isanchored, laterally on the hip belt. In WO 2007/114702 A1, the loads tobe carried are coupled directly to the back part. This, in turn, has theeffect that, owing to the coupling to the back part, the weight load ofthe load to be carried acts predominantly on the shoulders of a humantorso.

A similar solution is also presented in WO 2008/089128A2, see inparticular FIG. 7 of this document. The loads to be carried are fastenedto the back part, whereby the main weight load of the load to be carriedacts on the shoulders of a human torso, and only a part of the load tobe carried is transmitted from the back part to the hip belt. Anadditional fastening belt is not provided. By contrast, the genericcarrying system known from DE 10 2009 042 455 A1 has the crucialadvantage that the weight load of the load to be carried is introduceddirectly into the hip belt via the lateral supports, substantiallybypassing the back part of the ballistic protective vest. The ballisticprotective vest itself has not only the hip belt but also a fasteningbelt, so-called side wings, which can be connected to one another forexample by means of a hook-and-loop connection. The carrying system asper DE 10 2009 042 455 A1 has proven to be highly advantageous inrelation to the already-known prior art.

The inventor has however now identified that lateral supports such asare known from the teachings of the generic carrying system, or such asemerge from WO 2007/114702 A1, may be disadvantageous with regard to thefreedom of movement of the wearer in particular situations. Furthermore,the inventor has identified that, in particular for militaryapplications, it may be particularly important for the carrying systemto be simple and intuitive to use, in particular if it is used indifferent configurations, that is to say with different systemcomponents. Furthermore, the inventor has identified that, again inparticular for military applications, it is particularly crucial thatthe carrying system can be removed or discarded quickly when required.Furthermore, the inventor has identified that it is advantageous for theballistic equipment to be available as an option, and in particular foran adaptation to the size and physique of the wearer to be possible.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to eliminate thedisadvantages of the prior art, and in particular to provide aparticularly practical and robust carrying system, which is of simpleconstruction, and is particularly useful for military applications.

These objects are achieved according to the invention as claimedhereinafter by means of a modular carrying system composed of at leastthe following system components:

-   -   a. a protective vest with at least one back part and with means        for fastening to a human torso,    -   b. a hip belt,    -   c. a carrying device for being filled with loads to be carried,        and wherein the carrying device has carrying shoulder straps for        fastening to a human torso, and    -   d. a housing for accommodating an electronic unit, wherein the        housing can be attached to the rear side of the protective vest,        and wherein further the hip belt has a connecting element for        the connection of the protective vest without the interposition        of the housing, and wherein the connecting element is designed        to transmit weight loads from the protective vest to the hip        belt.

These objects are also achieved according to the invention by means of amodular carrying system having a protective vest with at least one backpart and having means for fastening to a human torso, and wherein theback part of the protective vest can be connected to further systemcomponents, and wherein at least one part of the means for fastening toa human torso has eyelets or receiving openings, and the back part isprovided with fastening loops, and wherein the fastening loops can beinserted into the eyelets or receiving openings, and wherein at leastone elongate fixing element is provided which can be guided throughthose ends of the fastening loops which are inserted into the eyelets orreceiving openings, and the eyelets or receiving openings. The fasteningloops and the elongate fixing element are designed such that thefastening loops can no longer pass out through the eyelets or thereceiving openings after the elongate fixing element has been guidedthrough, and wherein the elongate fixing element has a manipulationelement for pulling the fixing element out of the fastening loops.

Another object of the present invention is also achieved by means of amodular carrying system having at least one protective vest with atleast one back part, and further having means for fastening to a humantorso, and wherein a back pad can be attached to the inner side, whichfaces toward the human torso, of the back part of the protective vest,and wherein the back pad can be fastened in a height-adjustable fashionto the inner side of the back part by means of a hook-and-loopconnection. The back part has attached thereto at least one back padfastening tab which, after the back pad has been positioned, can befolded over onto the inner side, which faces toward the human torso, ofthe back pad and can be fixed there by means of a hook-and-loop typeconnection.

A particularly advantageous hip belt for use with a modular carryingsystem is disclosed. Here, it is provided that the hip belt has acoupling for the direct coupling of a carrying device which is providedfor being filled with loads to be carried, and wherein the hip belt hasa connecting element, which is suitable for transmitting pressureforces, for the direct connection of a back part of a protective vest,and wherein the coupling of the hip belt and the connecting element ofthe hip belt are arranged on the back of a human torso, adjacent to alower region of a human spine, when the hip belt is worn correctly.

The solutions according to the teachings of the present inventionincrease the wearing comfort of the carrying system considerably inrelation to the already-known solutions. The solutions according to theinvention also make the handling of said carrying system easier andensures simple and fast connection and removal of the individual systemcomponents of the modular carrying system.

Advantageous solutions will emerge inter alia from the dependent claims,as provided, hereinafter, and which also constitute advantageoussolutions with regard to, and can be used for, the carrying system asdisclosed.

By virtue of the fact that the connecting element between the hip beltand the protective vest is suitable for transmitting weight loads fromthe protective vest to the hip belt, and/or, owing to its configuration,for transmitting pressure forces, a good load distribution is achieved.The inventor has found that, to increase wearing comfort, it isparticularly important for the hip belt to accommodate as great aspossible a proportion of the loads to be carried, whereby the shouldersof the wearer are relieved of the load.

Here, it is advantageous for the connecting element to connect the hipbelt to the protective vest without interposition of the housing. Theadvantages of the hip belt can then be utilized even when the wearer isnot carrying a housing for accommodating an electronic unit.Furthermore, the inventor has identified that the force flow ortransmission is improved in this way.

It is also advantageous if the hip belt is connected to the back partonly via precisely one connecting element.

It is advantageous if the connecting element is formed on the rear sideof the hip belt and runs upward on the back along a human spine when thehip belt is worn correctly, and wherein the upper region, which facesaway from the hip belt, of the connecting element can be connected tothe back part of the protective vest.

This solution has proven to be particularly suitable. By virtue of thefact that the connecting element runs upward on the back along the humanspine. It has been discovered that it is firstly the case that the spineis relieved of load, and the forces are accommodated, in an effectivemanner. Secondly, by virtue of the fact that the connecting element runsalong the spine, by contrast to a design with two lateral supports, thefreedom of movement of the wearer is greatly improved. In this regard,the connecting element can substantially follow the movement of thespine. The connecting element may preferably be arranged on the rearside of the hip belt in the region of the human lumbus or in the lowerregion of the lumbus, and extend upwardly from there and in parallelwith, and along the spine. Here, it is sufficient for the connectingelement to extend upwardly along the spine to such an extent that asecure and reliable connection to the protective vest can be produced.

It is also advantageous if at least one part of the connecting elementis of a resilient and/or elastic and/or damped form, and/or theconnecting element is fastened, resiliently in a vertical direction, tothe hip belt and/or to the protective vest.

The resilient arrangement or the elastic configuration may preferably beselected such that the damping, elastic or resilient characteristics areprovided in a vertical direction when the carrying system is worncorrectly. Furthermore, the connecting element should preferably be ableto follow a movement of the spine. Here, it may be sufficient for one ormore parts of the connecting element to be of an elastic form.

It is advantageous if the connecting element permits a relative pivotingmovement between the back part of the protective vest and the hip beltabout a pivot axis running perpendicular to the back part. In this way,a leaning movement of the torso of the wearer of the carrying system tothe left or to the right that is relative to the hips of the carrier—isnot restricted. In the case of a design with two lateral supports thatconnect the hip belt to the protective vest, a lateral leaning of thetorso relative to the hips was partially restricted.

It is also advantageous for the hip belt to have a coupling for thecoupling of the carrying device to the hip belt without interposition ofthe housing.

In the solutions as disclosed from the prior art teachings, it isprovided that the carrying device provided for being filled with loadsto be carried, for example a rucksack or a baggage receptacle, isattached directly to the protective vest or to a main framework that isworn on the human torso. The weight loads of the carrying device(rucksack or baggage receptacle) were thus transmitted directly to theshoulders of the wearer, and thus adversely affected the wearingcomfort. The inventor has now developed a solution in which the carryingdevice engages directly on, or can be coupled directly to, the hip belt,such that the weight loads are introduced from the carrying devicedirectly into the hip belt. This is a crucial advantage in relation tothe prior art teachings. Furthermore, it is possible to dispense withthe interposition of a housing (for accommodating electroniccomponents), such that the coupling of the carrying device is possibleregardless of whether a housing for accommodating electronic componentsis provided.

It is advantageous if the carrying device has shoulder straps, such thatthe carrying device can be worn by the wearer similar to that of arucksack. Forces thus duly also act on the shoulders of a human body,albeit to a considerably lesser extent than would be the case if thecarrying device were coupled to the rear side of the protective vest.

It is advantageous if the coupling of the hip belt is formed on the rearside of the hip belt and is located adjacent to a human spine when thehip belt is worn correctly. It is also advantageous if the coupling isformed on the outside, and on the rear side of the hip belt, and belowthe connecting element.

It has proven to be advantageous for the coupling to be formed on therear side, and in particular on the outside, of the hip belt and in theregion of the spine because a particularly advantageous introduction ofthe weight loads is possible at this location. Furthermore, the mobilityof the wearer is not restricted. Additionally, as a result of thisarrangement, the coupling is, if appropriate, situated in alignment, andin relation to the profile of the spine, with the connecting elementlocated between the hip belt and the protective vest, and whereby inturn, the mobility of the wearer is not unduly restricted.

It is also advantageous if the connecting element and the back part formmultiple connecting points which are offset in a vertical direction,such that a releasable, height-adjustable connection of the connectingelement to the back part can be produced.

A height-adjustable connection or attachment of the connecting elementmakes it possible for the spacing between the hip belt and the back partto be individually adjusted to the wearer. The spacing between the hipbelt and the back part may thus be increased or decreased depending uponthe connecting points at which the connecting element, as viewed in thevertical direction, is connected to the back part. Numerous releasableconnections, and if appropriate also non-releasable connections, areconceivable for the connection of the connecting element to the backpart. It is also advantageous if the connecting element can be fastenedto the back part without the aid of tools. It is for example possiblefor the back part and the connecting element to be connected to oneanother by means of a loop system. It is also advantageous if the backpart has fastening tabs which surround the connecting element and whichcan further be fixed for example by means of a hook-and-loop connection.

It is advantageous if at least one of the two laterally and verticallyrunning side edges of the connecting element has a sawtooth-like profilesection provided and which is defined by projections and grooves.

It is also advantageous if the connecting element has a substantiallyflat, plate-shaped structure, and wherein the main surfaces of theplate-shaped structure extend substantially plane-parallel with respectto the rear side of the back part of the protective vest, and whereinthe two laterally and vertically running side edges of the connectingelement have, in each case, one mirror-symmetrically arrangedsawtooth-like profile section.

Multiple advantageous effects are achieved by means of thisconfiguration of the connecting element. The sawtooth-like profilesection of the two laterally and vertically running side edges of theconnecting element may, in itself, permit a certain basic degree ofelasticity or mobility, and in particular such that the wearer of thecarrying system can lean to the left and to the right. Here, it may beadvantageous if at least one part, which remains between twomirror-symmetrically arranged grooves, of the connecting element is ofan elastic or resilient form. The one or more elastic or resilient partsmay correspond in terms of their action to the intervertebral disks of aspine. Here, it may be provided that only one or two, or perhapsseveral, or if appropriate, all of the parts that are situated betweentwo opposite grooves of two parallel-running, sawtooth-like side edgesare of an elastic or resilient form.

A further particular advantage of the sawtooth-like design of a profilesection is that the sawtooth-like profile section can be particularlyadvantageously used for connecting the connecting element to the backpart. Here, it may, for example, be advantageous for the rear side ofthe back part to be provided with multiple fastening elements arrangedvertically, one above the other, by means of which fastening elementsand the connecting element of the hip belt can be fixed, variably interms of height, to the back part. The sawtooth-like profile sections—ifappropriate only one sawtooth-like profile section—make(s) it possiblein a particularly advantageous manner to produce a form-fittingconnection to the back part. Here, owing to the regular design of thesawtooth-like profile, the connecting element can be particularly easilyarranged at different positions on the back part in the verticaldirection. Here, it is advantageous for the inner side of the back partto also have multiple fastening elements arranged vertically, one abovethe other.

It is also advantageous if each fastening element has two fastening tabswhich, in each case in the region of the grooves of the connectingelement, are laid, one on top of the other, and can be further connectedto one another preferably by means of a hook-and-loop fastener.

This configuration yields a particularly simple connection, which can beproduced by hand, between the connecting element and the back part. Theconnection can be opened and closed easily. By virtue of the fact thatthe fastening tabs are laid one on top of the other in the region of thegrooves or in the grooves of the connecting element, a form-fittingconnection is realized in addition to the fixing by means of thehook-and-loop fastener. The connection has proven to be particularlystable if at least two, and preferably three or more groove pairs of theconnecting element are used for the production of a connection there bymeans of the fastening tabs of the back part. For this purpose, it isadvantageous for the back part to have two, and preferably three, ormore, fastening tab pairs. The spacing between the protective vest andthe hip belt can be adjusted by virtue of the connecting element beingplaced at the desired location on the back part. The desired spacingbetween the protective vest and the hip belt can then be fixed by virtueof the fastening tabs being attached in the grooves of the connectingelement.

The connection of the hip belt to the protective vest has been presentedabove (and will also be presented below) on the basis of a releasablefixing of the connecting element to the back part. It is, however,alternatively possible for the connecting element to be releasablyarranged on the hip belt rather than on the back part. The descriptiongiven above, and also the description which follows, should also beunderstood herein as encompassing an analogously precisely reversedfixing configuration.

It is advantageous if the means, as provided on the protective vest, forfastening to a human torso comprises a fastening belt, which runs abovethe hip belt, and/or two shoulder straps, which run over a humanshoulder, and wherein the fastening belt and/or shoulder straps can befastened or fixed in each case to the back part of the protective vest.Such fixing of the protective vest to a human torso has proven to beparticularly suitable. What is particularly suitable is an embodiment inwhich the means for fastening to a human torso comprise two shoulderstraps and a fastening belt which runs above the hip belt. The prior artdiscloses primarily either a fastening belt or a hip belt. Here, thefastening belt runs partially in the region of a hip. The inventor has,however, identified that it is advantageous for the protective vest tohave a fastening belt which is independent of the hip belt and whichruns above the hip belt.

The fastening belt can also preferably be closed by means of ahook-and-loop connection. The fastening belt may preferably be alsoformed from two side wings.

It is advantageous if those ends of the fastening belt which face towardthe back part are provided with eyelets or receiving openings, and theback part has fastening loops, and wherein the fastening loops can bepassed through the eyelets or receiving openings, and wherein at leastone elongate fixing element is provided which can be guided throughthose ends of the fastening loops which have been inserted into theeyelets or receiving openings, and the fastening loops and the elongatefixing element are designed such that the fastening loops can no longerpass out through the eyelets or the receiving openings after theelongate fixing element has been guided through, and wherein theelongate fixing element has a manipulation element for pulling thefixing element out of the fastening loops.

The inventor has identified that, by means of this configuration, it ispossible for the protective vest to be discarded quickly and in a simpleand reliable manner. The elongate fixing element can be pulled out ofthe fastening loops by means of, and preferably, by a pulling movementon the manipulation part. As a result, the fastening loops can slide outof the eyelets or receiving openings of the fastening belt, whereby thefastening belt is released from the back part. Now, in order to take offthe protective vest, the wearer need merely remove at least one shoulderstrap (if provided). Furthermore, it may be necessary for the hip beltto also be released, said hip belt generally having a clasp similar toan aircraft seatbelt clasp. This, too, can be performed quickly and in asimple manner. Such an advantageous discarding mechanism as described,above, is not known from the prior art.

It has proven to be advantageous if the back part has fastening loops orfastening sleeves, and at least one end of the fastening belt hascorresponding eyelets through which the loops or sleeves can be passed.The elongate fixing element may preferably be in the form of a wire orcable, and in particular a pintle wire.

Within the context of the present invention, fastening loops correspondin terms of function to fastening sleeves, and whereby only fasteningsleeves will be discussed below. The disclosure is however intended toapply to both variants.

It is basically sufficient if, to release the fastening belt, one of thetwo ends of the fastening belt which is fixed to the back part isreleased. It is however self-evidently also possible for both ends to beconnected to the back part in the manner described above, and to be ableto be released, correspondingly, if required.

Here, it may be advantageous if the at least one end, and preferablyboth ends, of the fastening belt have/has, in each case, multipleeyelets or receiving openings arranged offset in the circumferentialdirection of the fastening belt. In this way, the fastening belt can headapted to different girths in a particularly simple manner.

It is also advantageous if at least one of the two shoulder straps ofthe protective vest has at least one eyelet or one receiving opening atits end facing toward the back part, and the back part has fasteningloops, and wherein, in each case, one fastening loop can be insertedinto an associated eyelet or receiving opening, and wherein at least oneelongate fixing element is provided which can be guided through that endof the corresponding fastening loop which has been inserted into theeyelet or receiving opening. The fastening loops and the elongate fixingelement are designed such that the fastening loops can no longer passout through the eyelet or the receiving opening after the elongatefixing element has been guided through, and wherein the elongate fixingelement has a manipulation element for pulling the fixing element out ofthe fastening loops.

Simple handling is realized by virtue of the fact that the mechanism ofthe connection of at least one of the two shoulder straps to the backpart corresponds to the mechanism of the connection of the fasteningbelt. If required, it is possible by means of a simple movement, andpreferably a pulling movement, applied to the elongate fixing element(again preferably a wire or a cable, in particular a pintle wire) to bepulled out of the one or more fastening loops by means of which theshoulder strap is fastened to the back part, and whereby the connectionis released. By virtue of the fact that the protective vest also has afastening belt that is released in similar fashion, the entireprotective vest can be discarded with one movement, by pulling out theelongate fixing elements.

The inventor has identified that it may be sufficient for only oneshoulder strap to be released. The protective vest then,correspondingly, falls quickly and easily from the other shoulder. Itis, however, advantageous if both shoulder straps are fastened to theback part by means of corresponding fastening loops and eyelets with theaid of the same elongate fixing element. In this way, both shoulderstraps can be released from the back part by pulling out one elongatefixing element, and whereby the protective vest falls, or can beremoved, from the wearer in a particularly advantageous manner.

It is advantageous if the fastening loops for the connection of a firstend of the fastening belt form a first loop row through which a firstfixing element can be guided, and wherein a second fixing element can beguided at least through the fastening loop of a first shoulder straparranged on the same half of the back part, and wherein the first andthe second fixing element can be pulled out of the fastening loops bymeans of a common manipulation part in order to release the first end ofthe fastening belt, and at least the first shoulder strap from the backpart.

By means of this solution, it can be achieved that both the fasteningbelt, and also at least one first shoulder strap are released by meansof one movement, and preferably a pulling movement, on a commonmanipulation part. To realize an advantageous discarding of theprotective vest, it is advantageous if the first end of the fasteningbelt and the first shoulder strap are arranged on the same half of theback part, for example, both on the left-hand side (when the protectivevest is worn correctly) or both on the right-hand side. Thus, all of thefastenings on this side of the protective vest are released, whereby theprotective vest can fall off particularly easily.

It is advantageous if the second elongate fixing element releases bothshoulder straps. This is easy to achieve in terms of design.

It may be provided that a preferably third fixing element is used to fixthe second end of the fastening belt to the back part. It has been foundthat, for fast discarding of the protective vest, it is not necessaryfor the second end of the fastening belt to also be released from theback part. Nevertheless, a third fixing element may be provided in orderto permit a simple connection of the second end of the fastening belt tothe back part, and in particular in view of the fact that thecircumferential length of the fastening belt can be changed in aparticularly simple manner owing to the presence of multiple eyelets orreceiving openings in the region of the second end of the fasteningbelt.

It is advantageous if the shoulder straps have multiple eyelets orreceiving openings arranged one behind the other, and wherein eyelets orreceiving openings make it possible for the shoulder straps to beconnected to the back part in a manner corresponding to the size of thewearer, that is to say make it possible for the length of the shoulderstrap, which is relevant to the wearer, to be varied.

It is self-evidently basically also possible for the back part to havereceiving openings or eyelets, and for the one or more shoulder strapsand/or the fastening belt, or the ends thereof, to have fastening loops.A connection of the shoulder straps and/or of the fastening belt mayalso be realized by virtue of the eyelets or receiving openings and thefastening loops being formed specifically in each case on the otherelement. It has however proven to be advantageous for the back part tohave fastening loops and for the means for fastening to a human torso tohave eyelets or receiving openings. It is nevertheless the intentionhere for both variants to be disclosed.

It is advantageous if fastening points for the attachment of thefastening loops and/or of the fastening elements are integrated into theback part. It may be provided that the fastening loops or the fasteningelements are screwed, riveted or connected in some other form-fitting,force-fitting or cohesive manner to the back part. It has, however,proven to be particularly advantageous for fastening points to beintegrated into the back part, to which fastening points there areattached fastening loops which are preferably separate from saidfastening points.

The fastening points on the back part for the connection of the shoulderstraps, of the fastening belt and/or of the connecting element may be inthe form of inlays which are integrated into bores, and preferably intothrough bores, of the back part. Here, the inlays may preferably be inthe form of threaded sleeves. In this arrangement the threaded sleevesmay have an internal thread which serves for receiving a screw. Furtherthe screw may serve, for example, for the fastening of a shoulder strapguide element or of a fastening loop or of a fastening element. Thefastening of an inlay, and in particular of a threaded sleeve, in a borein the back part may be realized, for example, by virtue of the threadedsleeve, after it is inserted into the bore, and being flanged ordeformed such that the threaded sleeve can no longer be pulled out ofthe bore. The threaded sleeve, or more generally the inlay, maypreferably be formed from metal, and in particular from brass.

In one embodiment of the invention, it may also be provided that anadditional element is screwed into the inlay or into the threadedsleeve, and which additional element has an elongated hole or a slotthrough which the fastening loops or the fastening elements, or thefastening tabs, can be passed.

Regardless of the configuration mentioned above, it may be advantageousfor the fastening points to have an elongated hole or a slot throughwhich the fastening loops or the fastening elements can be passed suchthat the fastening loops or the fastening elements are fixed, forexample, by means of a thickened end, in the elongated hole or the slot.This makes it possible for the fastening loops or the fastening elementsto be exchanged quickly and easily, for example, if they become damaged.Furthermore, in this way, the fastening loops or the fastening elementscan be connected to the back part in a simple manner.

It is advantageous if the back part is provided or formed as astab-proof panel or a panel formed from a stab-proof material. Thebackplate is preferably formed from aramid, and if appropriate, thebackplate also has silicon.

It may be advantageous if the back part is formed from multiple layersin a plane-parallel arrangement. Advantageous stab protectioncharacteristics can be attained, if appropriate, in this way. Here, itis advantageous if the fastening points are integrated into the backpart during the pressing of the layers. In this way, the fasteningpoints, which in this case preferably have an elongated hole, areconnected to the back part in a reliable, simple and tough manner.

In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the backpart has one, multiple, or preferably four closed layers. Furthermore,the back part may have one, multiple, or preferably four layers providedwith slots, the latter layers being oriented in a plane-parallelarrangement with respect to the former layers. Here, the fastening pointmay extend outward through the slots, and preferably in a fashion suchthat the fastening point protrudes by way of its elongated hole from aninner side of the back part, that is to say, from the side oriented inthe direction of the body of the wearer. To prevent the fastening pointsfrom slipping out of the slots or slotted layers, the fastening pointsmay have a correspondingly widened base region that preferably extendsin flat form. The base region may, in this case, lie on a closed layer.

It is advantageous for a back pad to be attached to the inner side,which faces toward the human torso, of the back part of the protectivevest.

The wearing comfort is considerably increased by means of the back pad;and in particular, the discarding mechanism, that is to say, theconnection of the shoulder straps and of the fastening belt to the backpart. Further also the other technical equipment of the back part, arecovered, such that these do not act in a bothersome manner on the bodyof the wearer. It is advantageous if the back pad is fastened to theinner side of the back part in a height-adjustable fashion by means of ahook-and-loop connection. For this purpose, it may be provided that theinner side of the back part and the correspondingly facing side of theback pad each have corresponding hook elements and loop elements. Theback pad can thus be attached to the inner side of the back part in aparticularly simple manner, and in particular also at different heights.

It is advantageous if the back part has attached thereto at least oneback pad fastening tab which, after the back pad has been positioned,can be folded over onto the inner side, and which faces toward the humantorso, of the back pad, and fixed thereto by means of a hook-and-loopconnection.

It is particularly advantageous if a fastening tab is attached to bothof the vertically running side edges of the back part, and furthermoreif a fastening tab, and preferably two fastening tabs, is/are alsoformed on the bottom side of the back part. The fastening tab(s) can befolded over after the placement of the back pad. The back pad is thusfixed to the back part in a particularly reliable manner.

It is advantageous if the back pad is provided with a bullet-proofand/or stab-proof safety inlay and/or if the back pad has a slot for abullet-proof and/or stab-proof safety inlay.

The safety inlay is preferably in the form of a bulletproof panel, forexample in the form of a TSK1 panel, or preferably a SK4 panel. Anydesired hard ballistic and/or soft ballistic embodiments of the safetyinlay are, however, possible. In conjunction with the stab-proofembodiment of the back part, good protection is thus achieved. It isadvantageous in this arrangement that the relatively heavy ballisticsafety inlay is carried along, that is to say, inserted into, the backpad, only when required.

The insertion slot for the safety inlay is preferably formed in theupper region of the back pad.

It may be advantageous for the hip belt to have a feather trim which isadjacent to a human body when the hip belt is worn correctly. Greaterfriction is attained in this way, and thus slipping of the hip beltrelative to the body is reduced.

It is advantageous if a shoulder strap guide element is provided whichis fastened to the back part in such a way that, between the shoulderstrap guide element and the back part, there remains a longitudinal gapthrough which that end of the shoulder strap which is provided forfastening to the back part can be guided, and wherein the shoulder strapguide element is arranged above a fastening loop, which is provided forthe fixing of the shoulder strap, of the back part.

The inventor has identified that the fastening of the shoulder strap tothe back part is relieved of a load by means of the shoulder strap guideelement. A point of support is realized. On the other hand, however, afast release of the shoulder strap from the back part is not hindered bythe shoulder strap guide element. The shoulder strap guide element may,in a simple manner, be screwed to the back part. It has proven to beparticularly advantageous in this arrangement for the shoulder strapguide element to comprise an elongate guide element which is attached ina pivotable or rotatable manner, and which further extends transverselyor obliquely over the respective shoulder strap. Owing to the rotatingor pivotable arrangement, the shoulder strap can be guided through thelongitudinal gap in a particularly simple manner. Fast pulling-out isalso facilitated.

It is advantageous if the hip belt is padded on the side facing towardthe wearer.

It is also advantageous if the hip belt has a zip fastener preferably inthe region of the left-hand and/or right-hand side of the wearer whenthe hip belt is worn correctly, such that further elements can beconnected.

It is additionally advantageous if the fastening belt of the protectivevest has, preferably on the left-hand or right-hand side of the wearerwhen the fastening belt is worn correctly, a zip fastener for theconnection of further elements.

The fastening belt and/or the hip belt may further be provided with aflap which projects over the zip fastener and which preferably has ahook-and-loop connection, whereby it is possible for the zip fastener tobe covered and protected against damage, and in particular also againstdirt.

With regard to the support of the protective vest on the hip belt, itmay be of particular importance for the vertically acting loads to bedamped, and nevertheless, for a maximum degree of mobility of thewearer, analogous to the mobility of a human spine, to be maintained.The introduction of the loads into the hip belt is of particularsignificance in this invention. It is advantageous for the loads to beintroduced over as large an area of the hip belt as possible, and ifpossible, over at least approximately the entire area of the hip belt.Here, in particular, undue loading of a human spinal canal should beavoided. It may be further advantageous for the connecting element to beformed in one piece with a hip belt inlay, and wherein the hip beltinlay at least partially follows the profile of the hip belt in thecircumferential direction. In this way, the weight loads are distributedover the entire hip belt inlay via the connecting element. Inparticular, it may be advantageous for the hip belt inlay at least tofollow the profile of the hip belt in the circumferential direction inthe region of the rear side of the hip belt, that is to say, in thatregion of the hip belt which bears against the back of a human body whenthe hip belt is worn correctly. It is advantageous if the hip belt inlayextends to both sides from the center of the rear side of the hip beltas far as the front side of the hip belt, or at least approximately asfar as the clasp of the hip belt.

The hip belt inlay may preferably have one or more damping cutouts belowthe connecting element in the vertical direction, and wherein suchdamping cutouts permit a targeted deformation of the hip belt inlay. Thehip belt inlay with the integrated connecting element may, for example,be produced from rubber or natural rubber, and preferably from multiplelayers of rubber or natural rubber, and particularly preferably inconjunction with one or more textile layers. Here, it is particularlyexpedient for a composite to be laminated from the above-statedmaterials.

The hip belt inlay may be integrated into the hip belt, such that thewearing comfort remains advantageous. That is to say, the hip belt hasthe hip belt inlay as an insert or inlay. The hip belt inlay maypreferably be a panel of material that runs, or is curved,correspondingly to the profile of the hip belt. The hip belt inlay mayalso preferably extend from the rear side of the hip belt as far as thefront side, and in particular at least approximately as far as the claspof the hip belt. The hip belt inlay may however also end, for example,in the region of the side of a human torso. The hip belt inlaypreferably extends to both sides from the center of the rear side of thehip belt, that is to say, from a region adjacent to a human spine, atleast as far as the two sides of the hip belt, or as far as the twosides of a human torso.

The hip belt inlay may be combined with all of the already-knownfeatures, in particular also with all of the features of the exemplaryembodiment described, below. The description, and also the claims thatare provided hereinafter should be understood here as also disclosing aconnecting element that is formed in one piece with a hip belt inlay, orthat the hip belt inlay has an integrated connecting element.

It may be advantageous if the housing for accommodating the electroniccomponents has an aluminum-coated foil or an aluminum foil and/or aspacer knit on a front and/or rear side. Furthermore, the housing mayhave apertures, for example for an antenna.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are presented in principle below,on the basis of the figures as provided. For simplicity, preferredcombinations of the system components of the carrying system accordingto the invention are also presented. The individual variants of theinvention as illustrated, and as described below may be used in anydesired combination. Individual figures also show feature combinationsthat are advantageous when considered individually. The features,however, need not be combined in this way. The features illustrated inthe individual figures may each be used individually, or in any desiredcombination, even in combination with individual features, or multiplefeatures from other figures of the drawing.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a variant of the carrying systemaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the inner side of a back part of aprotective vest, and wherein the back part is connected via a connectingelement to a hip belt, in an illustration in which a back pad isattached to the inner side of the back part, and wherein further,additional back pad fastening tabs for the fastening of the back pad areillustrated in an open state.

FIG. 3 is an illustration as per FIG. 2, and wherein the additional backpad fastening tabs are illustrated in a closed state,

FIG. 4 is an illustration as per FIG. 3, and with a greater spacingshown between the back part and the hip belt.

FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration of a first variant of a hip belt.

FIG. 6 is a detailed illustration of a second variant of a hip belt.

FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of a third variant of a hip belt.

FIG. 8 is a detailed illustration of a fourth variant of a hip belt.

FIG. 9 is a detailed illustration of a fifth variant of a hip belt.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the inner side of the back part of aprotective vest, and wherein the shoulder straps, a fastening belt and ahip belt are attached to the back part.

FIG. 11 is a detailed illustration of a back part of a protective vestwhich is provided with fastening points for the attachment of fasteningloops end/or fastening tabs.

FIG. 12 is a sectional illustration through the back part in the regionof fastening point as per the line XII-XII in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a detailed illustration of a shoulder strap guide element.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a housing for accommodatingelectronic components.

FIG. 15 is a sectional illustration through the back part in the regionof fastening point, and in an alternative embodiment in relation to FIG.12.

FIG. 16 shows a threaded sleeve and a counterpart disk for forming afastening point,

FIG. 17 is an illustration as per FIG. 9, and wherein the connectingelement is formed in one piece with a hip belt inlay.

FIG. 1 shows a modular carrying system 1 which, as per FIG. 1, is madeup of substantially four system components. The system components inFIG. 1 are a protective vest 2, a hip belt 3, a carrying device 4 and ahousing 5. The above-mentioned system components are also illustrated,hereinafter, in FIGS. 2 to 14, respectively, but merely by way ofexample. A combination of the system components as illustrated in FIG. 1is not imperative; rather, the system components may also be usedindividually or in other combinations, in particular also with otherequipment features.

As per FIG. 1, the protective vest 2 has at least one back part 6 andmeans for fastening to a human torso. As per FIG. 1, the means forfastening to a human torso are in the form of shoulder straps 7 and afastening belt 8. Furthermore, the protective vest 2 optionally also hasa front part 9. The back part 6 and/or the front part 9, if provided,may have ballistic characteristics, that is to say offer protectionagainst injuries caused by projectiles and/or stabbing weapons. In thiscase, the protective vest is a ballistic protective vest such as is usedin particular in military applications. The back part 6 and/or the frontpart 9 may optionally be formed from a composite material.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is optionally provided 20 that the backpart 6 itself offers only stab protection.

The hip belt 3 as per FIG. 1 has a connecting element 10 for theconnection of the protective vest 2 to the hip belt 3. In thisarrangement the connecting element 10 is designed to transmit weightloads from the protective vest 2 to the hip belt 3. Furthermore, the hipbelt 3 has a coupling 11. The coupling 11 serves for the coupling orconnection of the carrying device 4. In this way, the shoulders of thewearer are relieved of the load. The coupling 11 as illustrated in FIG.1 has an insertion region with an insertion bevel in order that thecoupling member 12 to be coupled into the coupling 11, which couplingmember may for example be a peg, a bolt or a pin, can be insertedparticularly easily. For the coupling of the carrying device 4 to thehip belt 3, various embodiments of the coupling are conceivable and maybe combined with the other features illustrated in the exemplaryembodiments. It is advantageous for the coupling of the carrying device4 to the hip belt 3 to be realized only via one point, specifically suchthat the carrying device 4 can perform a pivoting or rotational movementrelative to the hip belt about an axis running perpendicular to the backpart.

The coupling 11 of the hip belt 3 is formed on the rear side of the hipbelt 3 and is located adjacent to a human spine, and more precisely tothe lower region of a lumbus, when the hip belt is worn correctly.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the fastening belt 8 runs above the hip belt3.

The hip belt 3 may preferably be closed by means of a clasp 25, such asis known for example from aircraft seats.

A padding 26 may be formed on the inner side, which faces toward thebody of the wearer, of the hip belt 3.

On the rear side of the hip belt, in particular in the region of thehuman spine, there may optionally be formed a pocket for accommodating apedometer, for example.

In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 5 serves preferably foraccommodating an electronic unit. Of said electronic unit, an antenna 13is illustrated, merely by way of example, in FIG. 14. In FIG. 1, thehousing 5 is attached to the rear side of the protective vest 2, andmore precisely to the outer side of the back part 6 of the protectivevest 2. In an optional embodiment, the housing 5 may also be omitted.The housing 5 may be attached to the protective vest 2 by variousmeasures, for example a zip fastener, a form-fitting or force-fittingconnection, or by means of a hook-and-loop system, for example with theaid of fastening tabs, and/or an areal hook-and-loop connection. In theexemplary embodiment, it is provided, as one possible variant to whichthe exemplary embodiment, however, should not be restricted, that theprotective vest 2 has a loop system 14 (not illustrated in any moredetail), and a similar loop system 14 is also formed on the outer sideof the housing 5. Such loop systems 14, which are known in fromparticular military applications, enable components to be fastened in asimple and flexible manner. A loop system of said type is also referredto as MOLLE loops. The loop system 14 may, in a known way, have amultiplicity of loop rows for this purpose. The loops of the loop rowsof the components to be connected, in the present case of the protectivevest 2 and of the housing 5, are in this case arranged such that theloops of one loop row can be fitted into the spacings between the loopsof the other loop row. In this way, it is possible for a strip-shapedloop-row connecting element, preferably a plastics strip which is alsopreferably encased with a textile, to be pushed through the loops of theloop rows that have been placed together. Here, the plastics strip maybe designed so as to be longer than the loop rows through which it is tobe pushed, such that the protruding ends of the plastics strip can befolded over. The folded-over ends of the plastics strip can preferablybe closed by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. This yields a stableconnection between components to be fastened to one another. Thisconcept is basically already known for use in particular in the militaryfield, and is therefore not illustrated in any more detail in theexemplary embodiment. The illustration shows merely the loop system inprinciple, for example on the outer side of the housing 5 in FIG. 14,and on the outer side of the carrying device 4, on the fastening belt 8and on the hip belt 3 in FIG. 1.

The housing 5 may, for example, be of a design such as that illustratedin FIG. 14. The invention, and also the exemplary embodiment, arehowever not restricted to this. As can be seen from FIG. 14, the housing5 may have an aluminum-coated foil 15 and/or a spacer knit 16 on thefront side 5 a, and/or on the rear side 5 b. Furthermore, on theencircling side edge, there may be provided a mesh 17, whereby goodbreathability is attained. An air-permeable textile net fabric ismentioned as a mesh 17. The housing 5 may also have a base plate ontowhich the electronic components and parts are screwed.

The carrying device 4 has shoulder straps 4 a which, similar to aconventional rucksack, enable the wearer to fasten the carrying device 4to his or her shoulders. The weight load is, in this case, however,introduced substantially via the coupling member 12 into the coupling 11of the hip belt 3.

FIG. 1 optionally also shows an embodiment with a drinking hose 18.

The carrying device 4 as illustrated in FIG. 1 may also be in the formof a baggage receptacle. In the exemplary embodiment, the carryingdevice 4 is shown as a rucksack. The exemplary embodiment and theinvention are, however, not restricted to these.

As can be seen from the various optionally illustrated exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1 to 10, the connecting element 10 on the rear sideof the hip belt 3 runs upwardly on the back of the wearer and along aspine (not illustrated) of the wearer when the hip belt 3 is worncorrectly. The upper region, which faces away from the hip belt 3, ofthe connecting element 10 can, in this case, be connected to the backpart 6. One possible connecting method is illustrated in principle inFIG. 10. The invention, and the exemplary embodiments, are however notrestricted to the connecting method illustrated in FIG. 10.

The connecting element may preferably be formed from steel, ifappropriate with a plastics lining, or from carbon or from a compositematerial.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show an embodiment of the invention in which at leastone part of the connecting element 10 is of resilient and/or elasticform. For this purpose, use may be made, for example, of a syntheticrubber joint.

FIG. 8 shows one possible variant of a resilient arrangement of theconnecting element 10 on the hip belt 3, and which is such that theconnecting element 10 has resilient characteristics in the verticaldirection when the carrying system 1 is worn correctly and the wearer ofthe carrying system is in a standing position. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 8, a spring device 19 is used. The spring device 19is composed of two spring elements 19 a which preload the connectingelement 10 in the direction of the protective vest 2. In thisarrangement the connecting element 10 has two longitudinal slots 19 binto which there is inserted, in each case, one bolt 19 c. The bolts areconnected to the hip belt 3. When a load is exerted on the connectingelement 10 in the direction of the hip belt 3, the connecting element 13can, owing to the longitudinal gap 19 b, move downwardly, that is tosay, in the direction of the hip belt 3, and counter to the force of thespring elements 19 a, such a damping action is provided between the hipbelt 3, and the protective vest 2. In this way, it is possible, interalia, for footstep loads to be absorbed with resilient action. It isself-evident that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 represents merelyone of several possible spring devices 19. The spring device 19 asillustrated in FIG. 8, or some other spring device, may alternatively,or additionally, also be formed at that end of the connecting element 10which is fastened to the back part 6. Furthermore, the spring device 19as illustrated in FIG. 8, or some other spring device, may also becombined with the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 7.

A pivot axis 21 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 8. The pivotaxis 21 runs perpendicular to the surface of the back part 6. In theexemplary embodiments as seen in FIGS. 5 to 8, it is provided that theconnecting element 10 is of an elastic or resilient form, and/or isarranged to produce resilient action on the hip belt 3 or on the backpart 6, such that the connecting element 10 permits a relative pivotingmovement between the back part 6, and the hip belt 3 about the pivotaxis 21 running perpendicular to the back part 6.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the connecting element with dampingcutouts 20, and which makes it possible for the connecting element 10,when subjected to pressure loading by the protective vest 2, in thedirection of the hip belt 3 (or vice versa), to reduce its axial length,that is to say to be compressed. Here, the damping cutouts 20 extend,preferably, substantially horizontally in the connecting element 10. Itis preferable for multiple damping cutouts 20 to be arranged spatially,adjacent, and vertically, one above the other.

Alternatively or in addition, the connecting element 10 may have one ormore elastic or resilient regions arranged preferably vertically and oneabove the other.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 10, and in particular from FIGS. 5 to 8,the connecting element 10 as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment hasa substantially flat, plate-shaped structure, and wherein the two mainsurfaces 10 a of the plate-shaped structure extend substantiallyplane-parallel with respect to the rear side of the back part 6 of theprotective vest 2, and wherein the two laterally and vertically runningside edges 10 b of the connecting element 10 have, in each case, amirror-symmetrically arranged sawtooth-like profile section. In thisarrangement the sawtooth-like profile section forms projections 22 andgrooves 23. The grooves 23, and the projections 22 of the side edges 10b are preferably situated in each case in mirror-symmetrically oppositeorientations one relative to another, as illustrated in the figures.

The design of the side edges 10 b with a sawtooth-like profile sectionhas proven to be particularly suitable in particular for the connectionof the connecting element 10 to the back part 6. This will be presentedin even greater detail, below, on the basis of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an optional embodiment in which a part 24 that islocated between two mirror-symmetrically arranged grooves 23 of theprofile sections is of elastic or resilient form. It is self-evidentlyalso possible for multiple elastic or resilient parts to be provided.The parts may for example be formed from synthetic rubber or naturalrubber.

FIG. 9 shows a further variant of the hip belt 3 which can also berealized in the case of the other embodiments. In this form of theinvention it is provided that the hip belt 3 has one, and preferably twoor more zip fasteners 27. It is additionally possible for covering tabs28 to be provided which cover the zip fastener 27 and a correspondingcounterpart. Additional containers, adapter plates or auxiliary elementscan be suspended from, or connected to, the zip fastener 27. The two zipfasteners 27 as illustrated in FIG. 9 are arranged on the hip belt 3 soas to run or be located in the region of the side of a wearer when thehip belt 3 is worn correctly. Furthermore, FIG. 9 illustrates anoptional leather trim 29, which may also be realized in the case of theother exemplary embodiments. The leather trim is intended to increasethe friction between the hip belt 3 and the wearer, and thereby permitan improved fit.

FIG. 10 shows an optional embodiment with two zip fasteners 27, twocovering tabs 28, and leather trims 29 on the hip belt 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 10 and the back part6 are preferably designed so as to form multiple connecting points whichare offset in a vertical direction (when the carrying system is worncorrectly and the wearer is in a standing position), such that areleasable, height-adjustable connection of the connecting element 10 tothe back part 6 can be produced. In this way, the spacing between thehip belt 3 and the protective vest 2 can be varied. Two differentspacings are illustrated, in principle, in FIGS. 3 and 4. The spacing ofthe connecting points may preferably be selected so as to permit aheight adjustment with a grid interval of 1 to 5 cm, and preferably 2.5cm.

One possible embodiment of such connecting points which permit aheight-offset connection is illustrated in FIG. 10. The inner side,which faces toward the wearer of the carrying system 1, of the back part6—which is illustrated in FIG. 10—is provided with multiple fasteningelements 30 which are arranged vertically and one above the other, bymeans of which fastening elements the connecting element 10 can befixed, variably in terms of height, to the back part 6. Here, the numberof fastening elements 30 may be selected as desired. FIG. 10 alsoillustrates six such fastening elements 30 which are vertically orientedone above the other. Here, in the illustrated connection between theconnecting element 10 and the back part 6, only the four lower fasteningelements 30 are used. The two upper fastening elements 30 are notutilized in the view illustrated in FIG. 10. More specifically if thehip belt 3 is to be arranged closer to the protective vest 2, ifappropriate also so as to overlap the latter, the connecting element 10is fastened to the back part 6 at a higher position with the aid of thefastening elements 30 situated further above. In this way, the hip belt3 can be moved toward or away from the protective vest 2 in a steppedmanner. To illustrate this, a double arrow is provided in FIG. 10.

The number of fastening elements 30, and the design of the connectingelement 10 in this regard, may self-evidently be selected as desired. Inone particularly simple embodiment, it is also possible for only onefastening element 30 to be provided. It has however proven to beadvantageous for at least two, and preferably more than two, fasteningelements 30 to be provided for fixing the connecting element 10.

FIG. 10 optionally shows a particularly suitable embodiment of thefastening elements 30. Here, the fastening elements 30 are composed ineach case of two fastening tabs 30 a. This can be seen particularlyclearly from the two uppermost fastening elements 30 which are not beingutilized. The two fastening tabs 30 a of a fastening element 30 are laidone on top of the other, and preferably connected to one another bymeans of an optionally provided hook-and-loop connection, and preferablyin the region of the grooves 23 of the connecting element 10.

The fastening elements 30, or the fastening tabs 30 a, may be connectedto the back part 6 in any desired manner, for example, by means ofrivets, screws, adhesive bonding or the like. One optionally provided,and particularly preferred possibility for the connection of thefastening elements 30 to the back part 6 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and12. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the back part 6 is composed of multiple layers.For this purpose, use may be made of a so-called SRM material. In theexemplary embodiment, the back part 6 has stab-proof characteristics,and/or is formed from a material that offers stab protection, preferablyfrom an aramid material that is preferably provided with silicon.

The back part 6 as illustrated in FIG. 11 has a multiplicity offastening points 32 for the attachment of the fastening elements 30 orof the fastening tabs 30 a or of further fastening loops 33, which willbe presented in more detail below on the basis of FIG. 10. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the fastening points 32 areintegrated into the back part 6. In this arrangement, the integration isrealized preferably by virtue of the fastening points 32 beingintegrated already during the pressing of the layers of which the backpart 6 as per FIG. 11 is composed. The fastening points 32 maypreferably be in the form of metal inlays. Here, the fastening points 32may have an elongated hole 32 a or a passage opening. Here, a fasteningelement 30, or one or two fastening tabs 30 a or a fastening loop 33 maybe attached in each elongated hole 32 a or each passage opening.

FIG. 12 illustrates an optional possibility for the integration offastening points 32 into the back part 6. It is provided in this form ofthe invention that the back part 6 has one or two, and preferably morethan two, and particularly preferably two to eight, and moreparticularly four, closed layers 600. Furthermore, the back part 6 hasone or two, and preferably more than two, and particularly preferablytwo to eight, in particular four, slotted layers 601. The closed layers600 form a stack of closed layers, and the slotted layers 601 form afurther stack of slotted layers. The fastening points 32 are pluggedthrough the slots 601 a of the stack with the slotted layers 601, suchthat the elongated hole 32 a protrudes beyond the outer side of thestack of slotted layers 601. Here, the fastening points 32 have, ontheir rear side, and in particular in the region of a base 32 b, adesign such that the fastening point 32 cannot be pulled all the waythrough the associated slot 601 a, that is to say, the base 32 b of thefastening point 32 has a dimension larger, at least in a relevantdirection, than the slot 601 a. The stack with the closed layers 600 isattached to the rear side, which faces away from the outer side, of thestack of slotted layers 601, such that the base 32 b of the fasteningpoint 32 is fixed between the stack of slotted layers 601 and the stackof closed layers 600. The layers 600, 601 may optionally andsubsequently be pressed together such that a permanent and fixedconnection is produced. The layers 600, 601 may preferably be designedso as to ensure stab protection and/or protection against projectiles.

Alternatively to the illustration as per FIG. 12, provision may also bemade for the fastening points 32 to be screwed to the back part 6. Forthis purpose, the back part 6 may, for example, have an internal thread.

The embodiment of the back part 6 illustrated in FIG. 11 has fasteningpoints 32 for the attachment of the fastening elements 30 or of thefastening lugs 30 a and also for the attachment of fastening loops 33 orfastening sleeves. The illustration shows, merely in principle, how apreferably textile fastening loop 33 could be attached in the elongatedhole 32 a of the fastening point 32. For this purpose, the fasteningloop 33 has a thickened portion 33 b on its end facing away from theloop part 33 a. It is achieved in this way that the fastening loop 33can be threaded or pulled through the elongated hole 32 a but cannot bepassed completely through the latter. A thickened portion 33 b of thefastening loop 33 can be realized in a technically particularly simplemanner.

The illustrated manner of fastening the fastening loops 33 in theelongated hole 32 a is optional, and may also be realized in some otherway. The fastening loops 33 and the fastening elements 30 and thefastening tabs 30 a may, if appropriate, be attached in a similarfashion.

FIG. 10 shows one optional and advantageous possibility by which thoseends of the fastening belt 8 which face toward the back part 6 can beconnected to the back part 6. For this purpose, the fastening belt 8 haseyelets 34 or receiving openings. An embodiment with eyelets 34 will bedescribed below, but the invention is not restricted to this. The backpart 6 as per FIG. 10 is provided with the above-mentioned fasteningloops 33, which may be connected to the back part 6 in any desiredmanner. The fastening loops 33 are designed such that they can be passedthrough the eyelets 34 at the one or more ends of the fastening belt 8.The illustration of the exemplary embodiment shows that the fasteningbelt 8 is provided with eyelets 34 at both ends. The illustration alsoshows that, at each end, the fastening belt 8 has two rows of eyeletsarranged one above the other. Both of these features are optional. It issufficient for the fastening belt to have eyelets at one end.Furthermore, it is also possible for only a single eyelet, a single rowof eyelets, or else multiple eyelets or rows of eyelets arranged oneabove the other, to be provided.

After the fastening loops 33 have been passed through the eyelets 34, itis provided as per FIG. 10 that an elongate fixing element 35 can beguided through those ends of the fastening loops 33 which have beenpassed through the eyelets 34 (more precisely through the loop part 33a). The elongate fixing element 35 is also illustrated in FIG. 11 (bydashed lines in said figure). The eyelets 34 of the fastening belt 8are, however, not illustrated in FIG. 11. The eyelets 34, the fasteningloops 33, and the elongate fixing element are designed such that thefastening loops 33 can no longer pass out through the eyelets 34 afterthe elongate fixing element 35 has been guided through. The elongatefixing element 35 has a manipulation element 36 for pulling the fixingelement 35 out of the fastening loops 33. The manipulation element isillustrated merely schematically in FIG. 10. The manipulation elementmay, for example, be a simple handle or a loop of the fixing element 35.The elongate fixing element 35 may for example be in the form of a wireor cable, preferably a pintle wire.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the back part6—optionally—has additional fastening loops 33 through which the fixingelement 35 is guided but which have not been passed through eyelets 34of the fastening belt 8. Said fastening loops 33 improve the guidance ofthe fixing element 35. The additional fastening loops 33 also permit aheight adjustment of the fastening belt 8 relative to the back part 6.

In FIG. 10, it is optionally provided that the ends of the fasteningbelt 8 have multiple eyelets 34 arranged offset in the circumferentialdirection of the fastening belt 8. In this way, the circumference of thefastening belt 8 can be adapted to the wearer. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustratean adjustment of the fastening belt 8 by one eyelet 34, that is to sayFIG. 4 shows a fastening belt 8 whose circumference relevant to thewearer is larger by one eyelet spacing.

As can be seen from FIG. 10, it is provided—again optionally—that atleast one, and preferably—as illustrated—both, shoulder straps 7 of theprotective vest 2 have at least one eyelet 37, or one receiving openingat their end facing toward the back part 6. The invention is describedbelow merely on the basis of the embodiment with one eyelet 37. Theinvention, and in particular the exemplary embodiment, are however notrestricted to this. The back part 6 has the fastening loops 33 alreadydescribed. It is provided in the exemplary embodiment that in each caseone fastening loop 33 can be inserted into an associated eyelet 37 ofthe shoulder strap 7. It is also possible for multiple eyelets 37, andif appropriate also multiple fastening loops 33, to be provided pershoulder strap 7. In one advantageous embodiment, however, it has provento be sufficient for each shoulder strap 7 to be connected only by meansof one fastening loop 33. After the fastening loop 33 has been passedthrough an eyelet 37 strap 7, an elongate fixing element 38 can beguided through that end of the corresponding fastening loop 33 that hasbeen inserted into the eyelet 37. Here, the elongate fixing element 38may again be in the form of a wire or cable, and in particular a pintlewire. The eyelet 37, the elongate fixing element 38, and the fasteningloops 33 may be designed such that the fastening loop 33 can no longerpass out through the eyelet 37 after the elongate fixing element 38 hasbeen guided through. The elongate fixing element 38 may have amanipulation element 36 for pulling the fixing element 38 out of thefastening loops 33. The manipulation element may be the samemanipulation element 36 as that by which the elongate fixing element 35can also be pulled out. It is however alternatively or optionally alsopossible for a separate manipulation element 36 to be provided for thetwo fixing elements 35 and 38, respectively.

It is provided in the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 10 that theelongate fixing element 38 fastens both shoulder straps 7.Alternatively, however, it may also be provided that only one of theshoulder straps 7 is fastened by means of the elongate fixing element38. In this case, it is advantageous if the fastening loops 33 for theconnection of a first end of the fastening belt 8 form a first loop row39 through which a first fixing element 35 can be guided, and wherein asecond fixing element 38 can be guided at least through the fasteningloop 33 of a first shoulder strap 7 which is arranged on the same halfof the back part 6, and wherein the first and the second fixing element35, and 38 can be pulled out of the fastening loops 33 by means of acommon manipulation part 36 in order to release the first end of thefastening belt 8, and at least the first shoulder strap 7 from the backpart 8.

FIG. 10 optionally illustrates a third elongate fixing element 40 whichserves for fastening a second end of the fastening belt 8 to the backpart 6. In the 10 exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 10, thethird elongate fixing element 40 can be manipulated independently of theother two elongate fixing elements 35, and 38, and for this purpose hasa manipulation loop at its end which faces away from the fastening belt8.

The fastening belt 8 as illustrated in FIG. 10 optionally has at leastone zip fastener 41. Here, two zip fasteners 41 are provided which aresituated in each case in the region of the side of a human torso whenthe fastening belt 8 is worn correctly. Furthermore, for each zipfastener, a covering tab 42 is provided which covers the zip fastener 41in each case. The zip fasteners 41 can be used for the attachment ofadapter plates, for example.

Fastening tabs 44 are likewise optionally formed in FIG. 10, and whereinfor clarity, however, the fastening tabs will be described on the basisof FIGS. 2 to 4.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4, it is optionally possible for a backpad 43 to be attached to the inner side, which faces toward the humantorso, of the back part 6 of the protective vest 2. In this arrangement,the connection of the back pad 43 to the inner side of the back part 6is realized, preferably, by means of a hook-and-loop connection (notillustrated in any more detail), and whereby a height adjustment ispossible. In FIG. 10, the hook-and-loop connection is optionally,likewise, provided on the inner side, and is illustrated in said figure,of the back part 6. So as not to complicate the illustration of FIG. 10,however, an illustration of the hook-and-loop connection on the innerside of the back part 6 by means of dashed lines has been omitted.Alternatively or in addition to the already-described hook-and-loopconnection in the exemplary embodiment, the fixing of the back pad 43 isalso realized by virtue of the back part 6 having fastening tabs 44.Here, one or multiple fastening tab(s) 44 may be provided. After theback pad 43 has been positioned, the fastening tabs 44 are folded overonto the inner side, which faces toward the human torso, of the back pad43, and are fixed there preferably by means of a hook-and-loopconnection. FIG. 2 shows the fastening tabs 44 in an open state. FIGS. 3and 4 show a view in which the fastening tabs 44 have been folded overonto the inner side, which faces toward the human torso, of the back pad43. That is to say, the fastening tabs 44 are closed. In FIGS. 2 to 4, ahook-and-loop fastener is illustrated on the inner side, which facestoward the human torso, of the back pad 43. The back pad 43 hashook-and-loop zones. A corresponding hook-and-loop fastener is alsoindicated on the fastening tabs 44.

In the exemplary embodiments as seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 10,respectively, four fastening tabs are provided, and wherein, in eachcase, one fastening tab 44 is attached to the back part 6, laterally onthe left and on the right, and two fastening tabs are attached to thebottom side of the back part 6. The exemplary embodiment should howevernot be restricted to this specific configuration. The configuration hasnevertheless proven to be particularly suitable.

The back pad 43 may optionally be provided with a bullet-proof and/orstab-proof safety inlay, a so-called ballistic inlay, and/or the backpad 43 may likewise optionally have an insertion slot for a bullet-proofand/or stab-proof safety inlay. This is however not illustrated in anymore detail in the exemplary embodiment. The safety inlay may preferablybe a hard ballistic panel, composed for example of ceramic, preferablypackaged in aramid.

What is advantageous is a purely ballistic (hard and/or soft ballistic)embodiment of the safety inlays in conjunction with an insertion slot inthe back pad 43. In this way, the ballistic safety inlay can be removedif ballistic protection is not required.

FIG. 13 shows a further possible optional configuration for theexemplary embodiments, to which said exemplary embodiments should,however, not be restricted. FIG. 13 shows a shoulder strap guide element45 which, in a slightly different configuration and illustrated insimplified form, is also provided in FIG. 10 (also optionally in saidfigure). The shoulder strap guide element 45 as illustrated in FIG. 13is fastened to the back part 6 such that, between the shoulder strapguide element 45, and the back part there remains a longitudinal gap 46through which that end of a shoulder strap 7 which is provided forfastening to the back part 6 can be guided. Here, the shoulder strapguide element 45 is arranged above a fastening loop 33, which isprovided for the fixing of the shoulder strap 7, of the back part 6. Inthis regard, reference is made to the illustration of FIG. 10. Theshoulder strap guide element 45 serves to provide a point ofarticulation for the shoulder strap 7, and whereby the guidance isimproved and the fastening loop 33 is relieved of a load. In FIG. 10,the shoulder strap guide element 45 is merely in the form of a simpleplate which is correspondingly attached, and preferably by means ofscrews, to the back part 6. In FIG. 13, it is provided that the shoulderstrap guide element 45 comprises a rotatable pin, or more generally arotatable elongate element, which can pivot or rotate when the shoulderstrap 7 is guided into and out of the longitudinal gap 46. FIG. 13 alsoshows that the shoulder strap guide element 45 may have holes 48 whichare provided for the leadthrough of screws (not illustrated) forscrewing the shoulder strap guide element 45 to the back part 6.

FIG. 15 shows an alternative possibility for the design of a fasteningpoint 32. The fastening point 32 is, for example, suitable for thefastening of a shoulder strap guide element 45, such as is illustratedfor example, in FIG. 13, to the back part 6. The fastening point 32 mayhowever also serve for the attachment of fastening loops 33 or fasteningelements 30 or fastening tabs 30 a. The back part 6 may be of anydesired design, for example also of a design such as has already beendescribed in more detail with regard to the embodiment as seen in FIG.12. All of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments may be combinedwith the fastening point 32 as illustrated in FIG. 15.

As per FIG. 15, it may be provided that the fastening point 32 is formedby virtue of the back part 6 being provided with a through bore 602. Inthis arrangement the fastening point 32 is in the form of an inlay,which in the exemplary embodiment is in the form of a sleeve, andpreferably a threaded sleeve, and in particular with an internal thread320. The threaded sleeve 32 is plugged into the bore 602, and fixedtherein. Numerous variants are conceivable for this purpose. It isparticularly advantageous, as illustrated in FIG. 15, for the threadedsleeve 32 to have, at one end, an encircling collar 321 which has adiameter at least partially larger than the internal diameter of thebore 602. After the threaded sleeve 32 has been plugged into the bore602, a counterpart disk 49 can be mounted or pushed onto that end of thethreaded sleeve 32 which faces away from the collar 321. It ispreferable here for the end facing away from the collar 321 to beflanged, such that reliable fixing of the threaded sleeve 32 in the bore602 is realized, this being reinforced by the counterpart disk 49. Asalready stated, various elements can be screwed into, and fastened in,the internal thread 23.

The shoulder strap guide element 45 can be screwed on preferablydirectly by means of one or more screws. The fastening loops 32 and/orthe fastening elements 30 or the fastening tabs 30 a may likewise bescrewed on directly by means of a screw. For this purpose, the fasteningloop 32 and/or the fastening element 30 or the fastening tab 30 a mayhave a screw passage hole through which the screw is passed andsubsequently screwed to the threaded sleeve 32. Alternatively, the screwmay also be screwed directly through the fastening loop 32 and/or thefastening element 30 or the fastening tab 30 a. A screw passage hole isnot necessary for this purpose. It may alternatively also be providedthat an auxiliary element (not illustrated) is screwed into the threadedsleeve, which auxiliary element has an elongated hole 32 a or a slot,analogously to the illustration of the fastening point 32 in FIG. 11. Itis then possible for a fastening loop 32 or a fastening element 30 or afastening tab 30 a to be passed through the elongated hole 32 a or theslot, and fastened there as illustrated and described in FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 shows in detail the assembly composed of the threaded sleeve 32and the counterpart disk 49.

The formation of a fastening point by means of a through bore 602 in theback part 6 may be realized in a variety of ways and in particular, theexemplary embodiment described above on the basis of FIGS. 15 and 16 isnot restricted to the use of a threaded sleeve 32. It is basicallypossible for any desired inlay to be provided that permits fixing in thebore 602.

FIG. 17 shows one possible alternative embodiment of the hip belt 3 witha hip belt inlay 100. The hip belt inlay 100 is illustrated by dashedlines in FIG. 17. The hip belt inlay 100 is formed in one piece with theconnecting element 10. In the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 17, thehip belt inlay 100 extends at least partially in the circumferentialdirection of the hip belt 3, and/or preferably at least approximatelycompletely follows the profile of the hip belt 3 at least over one part.In the exemplary embodiment, the hip belt inlay 100 is integrated intothe hip belt 3, that is to say the hip belt 3 receives the hip beltinlay 100 such that the hip belt inlay 100 is surrounded by textilematerial or by the hip belt 3, preferably at least in those regionswhich are adjacent to a human body when the hip belt 3 is worncorrectly. The hip belt inlay 100 may be formed from synthetic rubber,natural rubber or a similar elastic material. It may be provided thatthe hip belt inlay 100 is formed from multiple layers of synthetic,natural rubber or a similar elastic material. Here, the layers maypreferably be combined with textile layers and may preferably belaminated to form a composite. The hip belt inlay 100 is preferably amaterial panel. The hip belt inlay 100 may be provided with dampingcutouts 101 that facilitate a deformation of the hip belt inlay 100 suchthat the hip belt inlay 100 can, in a particularly effective manner,absorb vertical loads that are exerted by the protective vest 2 via theconnecting element 10. In the exemplary embodiment, a damping cutout 101is illustrated which is situated vertically, and below the connectingelement 10, and which can thus dampen vertical loads in a particularlyeffective manner. It is, however, alternatively also possible formultiple damping cutouts 101 to be provided at different locations.

The use of a hip belt inlay 100 has proven to be particularly suitablefor absorbing loads. All of the exemplary embodiments illustrated on thebasis of FIGS. 1 to 16 may be combined with a hip belt inlay 100 whichhas a connecting element 10 as an integral constituent part. In thisrespect, the specific design of the connecting element 10, for examplewith a sawtooth profile, or the connection thereof to the back part 6,is not of significance. The hip belt inlay 100 constitutes anindependent invention, in particular also in conjunction with the hipbelt as claimed herein.

As already stated, advantageous components and optional advantageouscombinations of the system components are illustrated in the exemplaryembodiment. It is pointed out that, in particular, the four main designvariants mentioned below need not be combined with one another, andwherein it should rather be understood that, in the exemplaryembodiment, too, the four main design variants may be used in isolationfrom the other components and are illustrated merely so as to highlightthe combination thereof. The first is in particular the illustration ofthe hip belt 3 with the connecting element 10 for attaching the hip belt3 to the protective vest 2 such that weight loads can be transmittedfrom the protective vest 2 to the hip belt 3. The second is theillustration of the hip belt 3 for use with a modular carrying system 1of any desired construction. The third is the embodiment of the modularcarrying system 1 with a back pad 43 which can be attached inheight-adjustable fashion to the back part 6 of the protective vest 2 bymeans of a hook-and-loop connection and which can additionally be fixedby means of the fastening tabs 44. The fourth is a modular carryingsystem 1 in which the back part 6 is provided with fastening loops 33,and the means for fastening to a human torso have eyelets 34, 37assigned to the protective vest 2, which eyelets interact with thefastening loops 33 and an elongate fixing element 35, 38 such that themeans for fastening to a human torso (shoulder straps 7 and/or fasteningbelt 8) can be releasably attached to the back part 6 by means of theelongate fixing elements 35, 38, wherein the elongate fixing element 35,38 has a manipulation element 36 for pulling out the correspondingfixing element 35, 38. The above-mentioned solutions may be used bothindividually and also in combination.

1. A modular carrying system composed of at least the following systemcomponents comprising: a. a protective vest with at least one back partand with means for fastening to a human torso, b. a hip belt, c. acarrying device for being filled with loads to be carried, wherein thecarrying device has carrying shoulder straps for fastening to a humantorso, and d. a housing for accommodating an electronic unit, whereinthe housing can be attached to the rear side of the protective vest, andwherein the hip belt has a connecting element for the connection of theprotective vest without the interposition of the housing, and whereinthe connecting element is designed to transmit weight loads from theprotective vest to the hip belt.
 2. The carrying system as claimed inclaim 1, and wherein the connecting element is formed on the rear sideof the hip belt and runs upward on the back along a human spine when thehip belt is worn correctly, wherein the upper region, which faces awayfrom the hip belt, of the connecting element can be connected to theback part of the protective vest.
 3. The carrying system as claimed inclaim 1, and wherein the at least one part of the connecting element isof resilient and/or elastic form, and/or the connecting element isfastened, resiliently in a vertical direction, to the hip belt and/or tothe protective vest.
 4. The carrying system as claimed in claim 1, andwherein the connecting element permits a relative pivoting movementbetween the back part of the protective vest and the hip belt about apivot axis running perpendicular to the back part.
 5. The carryingsystem as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the hip belt has a couplingfor coupling the carrying device to the hip belt without interpositionof the housing.
 6. The carrying system as claimed in claim 5, andwherein the coupling of the hip belt is formed on the rear side of thehip belt and is adjacent to a human spine when the hip belt is worncorrectly.
 7. The carrying system as claimed in claim 5, and wherein thecoupling is formed on the outside, on the rear side of the hip belt, andbelow the connecting element.
 8. The carrying system as claimed in claim1, and wherein the connecting element and the back part form multipleconnecting points offset in a vertical direction, such that areleasable, height-adjustable connection of the connecting element tothe back part can be produced.
 9. The carrying system as claimed inclaim 1, and wherein at least one of the two laterally and verticallyrunning side edges of the connecting element has a sawtooth-like profilesection provided with projections and grooves.
 10. The carrying systemas claimed in claim 9, and wherein the connecting element has asubstantially flat, plate-shaped structure, wherein the main surfaces ofthe plate-shaped structure extend substantially plane-parallel withrespect to the rear side of the back part of the protective vest, andwherein the two laterally and vertically running side edges of theconnecting element have in each case one mirror-symmetrically arrangedsawtooth-like profile section.
 11. The carrying system as claimed inclaim 9, and wherein the inner side of the back part is provided withmultiple fastening elements arranged vertically one above the other, bymeans of which fastening elements the connecting element of the hip beltcan be fixed, variably in terms of height, to the back part.
 12. Thecarrying system as claimed in claim 11, and wherein each fasteningelement has two fastening tabs which, in each case in the region of thegrooves of the connecting element, are laid one on top of the other andcan be connected to one another preferably by means of a hook-and-loopfastener.
 13. The carrying system as claimed in claim 9, and wherein atleast one part, which remains between two mirror-symmetrically arrangedgrooves, of the connecting element is of elastic or resilient form. 14.The carrying system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the means forfastening to a human torso comprise a fastening belt, which runs abovethe hip belt, and/or two shoulder straps, which run over a humanshoulder, which fastening belt and/or shoulder straps can be fastened orfixed in each case to the back part of the protective vest.
 15. Thecarrying system as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the ends of thefastening belt which face toward the back part are provided with eyeletsor receiving openings, and the back part has fastening loops, whereinthe fastening loops can be passed through the eyelets or receivingopenings, and wherein at least one elongate fixing element is providedwhich can be guided through those ends of the fastening loops which havebeen inserted into the eyelets or receiving openings, and the eyelets orreceiving openings, the fastening loops and the elongate fixing elementare designed such that the fastening loops can no longer pass outthrough the eyelets or the receiving openings after the elongate fixingelement has been guided through, wherein the elongate fixing element hasa manipulation element for pulling the fixing element out of thefastening loops.
 16. The carrying system as claimed in claim 15, andwherein the ends of the fastening belt have in each case multipleeyelets or receiving openings arranged offset in the circumferentialdirection of the fastening belt.
 17. The carrying system as claimed inclaim 1, and wherein a back pad can be attached to the inner side, whichfaces toward the human torso, of the back part of the protective vest.18. The carrying system as claimed in claim 17, and wherein the back padcan be fastened in height-adjustable fashion to the inner side of theback part by means of a hook-and-loop connection.
 19. The carryingsystem as claimed in claim 17, and wherein the back part has attachedthereto at least one back pad fastening tab which, after the back padhas been positioned, can be folded over onto the inner side, which facestoward the human torso, of the back pad and fixed by means of ahook-and-loop connection.
 20. The carrying system as claimed in claim17, and wherein the back pad is provided with a bullet-proof and/orstab-proof safety inlay and/or the back pad has an insertion compartmentfor a bullet-proof and/or stab-proof safety inlay.
 21. The carryingsystem as claimed in claim 1, and wherein fastening points for theattachment of the fastening loops and/or of the fastening elements areintegrated into the back part.
 22. The carrying system as claimed inclaim 21, and wherein the back part is formed from multiple layers in aplane-parallel arrangement, and the fastening points are integrated intothe back part during the pressing of the layers, wherein the fasteningpoints have an elongated hole to which the fastening loops and/or thefastening elements can be attached.
 23. The carrying system as claimedin claim 14, and wherein at least one of the two shoulder straps of theprotective vest has at least one eyelet or one receiving opening at itsend facing toward the back part, and the back part has fastening loops,wherein in each case one fastening loop can be inserted into anassociated eyelet or receiving opening, and wherein at least oneelongate fixing element is provided which can be guided through that endof the corresponding fastening loop which has been inserted into theeyelet or receiving opening, and the eyelets or receiving openings, thefastening loops and the elongate fixing element are designed such thatthe fastening loops can no longer pass out through the eyelet or thereceiving opening after the elongate fixing element has been guidedthrough, wherein the elongate fixing element has a manipulation elementfor pulling the fixing element out of the fastening loops.
 24. Thecarrying system as claimed in claim 23, and wherein the fastening loopsfor the connection of a first end of the fastening belt form a firstloop row through which a first fixing element can be guided, and whereina second fixing element can be guided at least through the fasteningloop of a first shoulder strap arranged on the same half of the backpart, and wherein the first and the second fixing element can be pulledout of the fastening loops by means of a common manipulation part inorder to release the first end of the fastening belt and at least thefirst shoulder strap from the back part.
 25. The carrying system asclaimed in claim 15, and wherein the elongate fixing element is in theform of a wire or cable, in particular a pintle wire.
 26. The carryingsystem as claimed in claim 1, and wherein aluminum-coated foil and/or aspacer knit on a front and/or rear side.
 27. The carrying system asclaimed in claim 1, and wherein the connecting element is formed in onepiece with a hip belt inlay, wherein the hip belt inlay at leastpartially follows the profile of the hip belt in the circumferentialdirection.
 28. A hip belt for use with a modular carrying systemcomprising: a hip belt has a coupling for the direct coupling of acarrying device which is provided for being filled with loads to becarried, and wherein the hip belt also has a connecting element, whichis suitable for transmitting pressure forces, for the direct connectionof a back part of a protective vest, wherein the coupling of the hipbelt and the connecting element of the hip belt are arranged on the backof a human torso, adjacent to a lower region of a human spine, when thehip belt is worn correctly.
 29. A modular carrying system having aprotective vest with at least one back part and having means forfastening to a human torso, wherein the back part of the protective vestcan be connected to further system components, comprising: at least onepart of the means for fastening to a human torso has eyelets orreceiving openings, and the back part is provided with fastening loops,wherein the fastening loops can be inserted into the eyelets orreceiving openings, and wherein at least one elongate fixing element isprovided which can be guided through those ends of the fastening loopswhich are inserted into the eyelets or receiving openings, and theeyelets or receiving openings, the fastening loops and the elongatefixing element are designed such that the fastening loops can no longerpass out through the eyelets or the receiving openings after theelongate fixing element has been guided through, wherein the elongatefixing element has a manipulation element for pulling the fixing elementout of the fastening loops.
 30. The carrying system as claimed in claim29, and wherein the means for fastening to a human torso have at leastone fastening belt and two shoulder straps which run over a humanshoulder.
 31. The carrying system as claimed in claim 30, and whereinthe fastening loops for the connection of a first end of the fasteningbelt form a first loop row through which a first fixing element can beguided, and wherein a second fixing element can be guided at leastthrough the fastening loop of a first shoulder strap arranged on thesame half of the back part, and wherein the first and the second fixingelement can be pulled out of the fastening loops by means of a commonmanipulation part in order to release the first end of the fasteningbelt and at least the first shoulder strap from the back part.
 32. Thecarrying system as claimed in claim 29, and wherein the elongate fixingelement is in the form of a wire or cable.
 33. The carrying system asclaimed in claim 30, and wherein a shoulder strap guide element isprovided which is fastened to the back part in such a way that, betweenthe shoulder strap guide element and the back part, there remains alongitudinal gap through which that end of the shoulder strap which isprovided for fastening to the back part can be guided, wherein theshoulder strap guide element is arranged above a fastening loop, whichis provided for the fixing of the shoulder strap, of the back part. 34.A modular carrying system having at least one protective vest with atleast one back part and having means for fastening to a human torso,comprising: a back pad can be attached to an inner side, which facestoward the human torso, of the back part of the protective vest, whereinthe back pad can be fastened in height-adjustable fashion to the innerside of the back part by means of a hook-and-loop connection, andwherein the back part has attached thereto at least one back padfastening tab which, after the back pad has been positioned, can befolded over onto the inner side, which faces toward the human torso, ofthe back pad and fixed there by means of a hook-and-loop connection. 35.The carrying system as claimed in claim 34, and wherein the back pad isprovided with a bullet-proof and/or stab-proof safety inlay and/or theback pad has an insertion compartment for a bullet-proof and/orstab-proof safety inlay.
 36. The carrying system as claimed in claim 34,and wherein the fastening points for the attachment of the fasteningloops and/or of the fastening elements are integrated into the backpart.
 37. The carrying system as claimed in claim 36, and wherein theback part is formed from multiple layers in a plane-parallelarrangement, and the fastening points are integrated into the back partduring the pressing of the layers, wherein the fastening points have anelongated hole to which the fastening elements and/or the fasteningloops can be attached.